Foodservice price inflation eases to 5.8% in October: Foodservice price inflation declined for the second month in a row in October to reach 5.8%, the latest CGA Prestige Foodservice Price Index has revealed. It is the joint lowest monthly figure recorded by the Index since February, and an indication inflationary pressures in the foodservice sector may be starting to ease. With the effects of post-Brexit exchange rate volatility now having filtered through to most categories of food and drink, there is cautious optimism the costs of imports to the UK are settling after a year of historically high levels of inflation. The CGA Prestige Foodservice Price Index predicted a further easing of pressures into 2018, and forecasts average inflation for the next 12 months of fewer than 4%. But it adds uncertainty around issues including Brexit negotiations and the La Niña weather phenomenon may yet have a negative impact on the cost of food and drink items brought into the UK from overseas. Despite the two months of decline, foodservice price inflation also remains well above consumer-side inflation as measured by the Office for National Statistics. The index revealed a particularly notable easing of inflation in key categories including sugar, where improved supply led to a 6.1% drop in prices year-on-year. Inflation was also held down in important categories including meat and vegetables, thanks in part to increased levels of domestic sourcing. But pressures on supply mean price inflation continues to remain high in other sectors such as fish and oils and fats, where inflation is in double figures. Concern over the availability of migrant labour after the conclusion of Brexit negotiations is meanwhile affecting categories such as fruit, where UK producers have long relied on EU nationals for a large part of their workforces. Christopher Clare, head of consulting and insight at Prestige Purchasing, said: “In a week where the chancellor announced changes to the calculation of business rates, the drop in inflation for product purchases will of course be further welcome news. Prices have now been broadly steady for about eight months, albeit at a higher base than a year ago – this might provide some relief for busy operators over the festive season.” CGA commercial director Graeme Loudon added: “As we near the end of a year of very high inflation in foodservice prices, it is encouraging to see evidence that stresses may be easing in the latest edition of our Index. The government’s negotiations to leave the EU continue to have a significant knock-on effect on exchange rates and migrant labour, and the sector will need to keep a close eye on issues such as La Niña. But the Foodservice Price Index does at least suggest that a welcome degree of stability is starting to return to the supply chain.” The CGA Prestige Foodservice Price Index is jointly produced by Prestige Purchasing and CGA, using data drawn from more than 50% of the foodservice market and about 7.8 million transactions per month.

 

New Casual Dining Concept of the Year sponsored by Reynolds: Babel, Grand Pacific; Lockhouse; Tabun Kitchen; The Common Restaurant; The Vurger Co.

 

Best New Pub/Bar Site sponsored by Lucozade Ribena Suntory: Innis & Gunn Beer Kitchen – Ashton Lane, Glasgow; JD Wetherspoon – The Royal Victorian Pavilion, Ramsgate; Tank & Paddle (Novus Leisure) – Minster, London; The Alchemist – MediaCity UK, Manchester.

 

Best New Restaurant Site sponsored by Fentimans: Belgo – Crowne Plaza, Kings Cross, London; Bistrot Pierre – Mumbles, Swansea; Hubbox – Bristol; Kupp – Oxford; Lussmanns Fish & Grill Restaurants – Tring; Zizzi – Bedford.

 

Small Employer of the Year (fewer than 20 sites) sponsored by Commercial Kitchen: Brewhouse & Kitchen; Dishoom; Flat Iron Steak; Framptons Cafe Bar and Kitchen; The Alchemist; Yummy Pub Co.

 

Large Employer of the Year (20 sites plus): Bistrot Pierre; Casual Dining Group; Loungers (Lounge and Cosy Clubs); PizzaExpress; Toby Carvery; YO!

 

Menu Innovation Award sponsored by Essential Cuisine: ASK Italian; Babel; Bella Italia; Bill’s Restaurants; Filmore & Union; Haché; Jamie‘s Italian; Las Iguanas; Wagamama; Zizzi.

 

Marketing Campaign of the Year: Brewhouse & Kitchen – “Brewhouse & Kitchen Academy”; Gourmet Burger Kitchen – “Brisket Means Brisket”; Haché – “Date Night”; Las Iguanas – “Iggy and Friends”; MOD Pizza – “MOD Pizza Doctor – Freshers Week take-over”; Pizza Pilgrims – “Pizza Box Art Gallery – Shoreditch”; Prezzo – “Fans’ Favourites Menu”; Toby Carvery – “Toby Brings Us Together”; Wagamama – “Vegan Menu Launch”; Zizzi – “The Spirit of Social Dining”.

 

Best Designed Pub/Bar of the Year: Balls Brothers (Novus Leisure) – Adams Court, London (designed by Spatialized); Grand Pacific (Living Ventures) – Manchester (designed by Michelle Derbyshire); JD Wetherspoon – The Royal Victoria Pavilion, Ramsgate (designed by KDPA); Spotted Horse (Young’s) – Putney, London (designed by Fusion by Design); Store Street Craft Bar – Hilton DoubleTree, Manchester (designed by ABDA Creative Design & Build); The Alchemist – MediaCity UK, Manchester (designed by Macaulay Sinclair).

 

Best Designed Casual Dining Restaurant of the Year (fewer than 20 sites): Belgo – Crowne Plaza, Kings Cross, London (designed by Superfutures); Cinnamon Kitchen – Oxford (designed by DesignLSM); Fancy Crab – London (designed by DesignLSM); Felix Seafood Grill – Billericay, Essex (designed by DesignLSM); Hubbox – Bristol (designed by Simple Simon Design); Kupp – Southampton (designed by Jones AD); Lussmanns Fish & Grill Restaurants – Tring (designed in-house); SmokeWorks – Station Road, Cambridge (designed by Loci Interiors).

 

Best Designed Casual Dining Restaurant of the Year (20 sites plus): ASK Italian – Park Street, London (designed in-house); Gourmet Burger Kitchen – Southport (designed by Moreno Masey); Giggling Squid – Wokingham (designed in-house); Las Iguanas – Temple Street, Birmingham (designed by B3 Designers); PizzaExpress – York (designed by Quadrant Design); Prezzo – Northumberland Avenue, London (designed by Keane Design); Zizzi – Gandy Street, Exeter (designed in-house).

 

Independent Pub of the Year (fewer than five sites) sponsored by Budweiser Budvar UK: The Malt House – London; The OHH Pub Company – various locations; The Old Ale & Coffee House (Buff and Bear Saloons) – Salisbury; The Royal Oak – Marlow; Waxy O’Connor’s – various locations.

 

Independent Restaurant of the Year (fewer than five sites) sponsored by Casual Dining: Alston Bar & Beef – Glasgow; Arepa and Co – London; Framptons Cafe Bar and Kitchen – various locations; Kupp – various locations; Lupita Mexican Restaurants – various locations; The Chilli Pickle – Brighton; The Mayfair Chippy – London; Zerodegrees – various locations; Zoe’s Ghana Kitchen – London.

 

Multi-Site Pub Operator of the Year sponsored by McCain: All Bar One; Brewhouse & Kitchen; Chef & Brewer (Greene King); Cheshire Cat Pubs & Bars; Hush Heath Estate; JD Wetherspoon; Red Mist Leisure; Redcomb Pubs; Yummy Pub Co.

 

Small Multi-Site Restaurant Brand of the Year (five to 19 sites) – sponsored by Wing Yip: Blackhouse; Flat Iron Steak; Haché; Hubbox; Koh Thai Tapas; Red’s True Barbecue; The Cosy Club; The Stable.

 

Large Multi-Site Restaurant Brand of the Year (20 sites plus) – sponsored by Coca-Cola European Partners: ASK Italian; Bella Italia; Bill’s Restaurants; Bistrot Pierre; Harvester; Jamie’s Italian; Las Iguanas; Pho; Wagamama; YO!; Zizzi.

 

Casual Dining Group of the Year – sponsored by Carlsberg: Azzurri Group; Boparan Restaurant Group; Casual Dining Group; Greene King; Living Ventures; Mitchells & Butlers; Stonegate Pub Company; The Restaurant Group; Whitbread.

 

Judges for the 2018 awards include Bob Ivell, chairman of Mitchells & Butlers; Karen Forrester, chief executive of TGI Friday’s UK; Mark Fox, chief executive of Bill’s; Keith Bird, chief operating officer at Gourmet Burger Kitchen; and Kate Nicholls, chief executive of The Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers.